Attorney General Mayes and Better Business Bureau Warn Arizonans About Romance Scam

PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau are warning Arizonans about romance scams in a new public service announcement. This type of fraud takes more money per victim than nearly any other type of complaint tracked by the Better Business Bureau.

"These scammers are skilled manipulators who prey on people looking for connection and companionship," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "They steal not just money but trust and peace of mind. If someone you've never met in person asks you to send money, stop and report it."

Romance scams typically begin the same way: a stranger reaches out on social media, a dating app, or through a wrong-number text. The conversation quickly turns intimate. Then it turns to money.

Three Arizonans recently filed complaints describing their experiences. One said her supposed suitor claimed to be a surgeon working overseas: "He promised I could have everything I ever wanted." Another described an army general deployed abroad: "We chatted regularly." A third believed she was building a future with an engineer in Asia: "Making plans to move in together and start a life."

All three lost money. Together, they lost $155,000.

In one case, a Scottsdale woman met a man on Facebook who claimed to be living in Syria. He told her he needed financial help to start their life together. She sent $55,000 through a cash app and lost it all.

"Romance scams are among the most financially devastating frauds we track, and they're heartbreaking because victims often don't realize what's happened until it's too late," said Joe Ducey of the Better Business Bureau. "We want Arizonans to know the warning signs so they can protect themselves and the people they love."

Warning Signs of a Romance Scam:

• You're contacted out of the blue by someone you've never met
• The person claims to be traveling or living outside the country — often in a war zone, on an oil rig, or deployed with the military
• All communication is by text or messaging app — they always have an excuse to avoid video chat or meeting in person
• The conversation becomes too familiar, too fast — declarations of love or deep connection come within days or weeks
• Some scammers play a long game, spending weeks or even months building trust and emotional connection before ever asking for money — making the request feel more believable when it finally comes
• They ask for money — usually through wire transfer, cash app, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult or impossible to trace or recover
• Their profile photos look too good to be true — reverse image searches often reveal the photos are stolen from someone else's account

How to Protect Yourself:

• Never send money to someone you haven't met in person, no matter how strong the connection feels or how long you've been talking
• Be skeptical of anyone who refuses to video chat or always has a reason they can't meet
• Talk to a trusted friend or family member before sending money to anyone you've met online — scammers often isolate their victims to avoid scrutiny
• If someone asks you to move the conversation off a dating app or social platform quickly, treat it as a red flag
• Do a reverse image search using Google or another service using the photos the individual says are theirs
• Seniors are a primary target of romance scammers — if you have an older adult in your life, have this conversation before they become a victim

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.

You can also report scams to BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.

Download the PSA.